Dedham man’s gun charge linked to Orrington burglary

BANGOR, Maine — A Dedham man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on gun charges that connect him to a gun store burglary six weeks ago.

One of the guns found in the possession of Robert Ryan Barker, 30, matched the serial number of a 12-gauge shotgun reported stolen during a burglary Aug. 23 at an Orrington gun shop, according to court documents.

Barker was indicted Wednesday on charges of possession of stolen firearms, making a false statement in a firearms application, and possession of firearms and ammunition after being involuntarily committed to a mental institution.

The grand jury also indicted Tyler Damon, 18, described as a transient in court documents, on charges of theft of firearms from the premises of a licensed dealer and possession of stolen firearms. Charges against Damon stemmed from the burglary of Mill Creek Rod & Gun shop in Orrington.

Barker, who has not yet appeared in court, and Damon are scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court next week. Tyler was released Wednesday to an unnamed relative on $5,000 unsecured bail with strict conditions including electronic monitoring.

The Dedham man was committed involuntarily on Nov. 3, 2009, to The Acadia Hospital in Bangor, according to the indictment. Under federal law, that committal prohibited him from possessing guns and ammunition.

On Aug. 28, 2010, Barker illegally possessed a large amount of ammunition along with two shotguns, a minirifle and an assault rifle, according to the indictment. He also allegedly had two stolen rifles. The serial number on one of the rifles matches the serial number of a gun listed as stolen in Damon’s indictment.

Barker also was indicted on a charge of lying about his involuntary commitment to Acadia when he attempted to buy a gun from Maine Military Supply Inc. in Brewer.

The indictment does not state from whom Barker obtained the gun allegedly stolen in Orrington or the minirifle. Information about when, where and from whom the minirifle was stolen was not included in court documents.

Two other men were indicted last month by a federal grand jury in Bangor for their alleged roles in the burglary and theft. Damon’s cousin Corey Ryan Damon, 19, of Millinocket and Brandon Caparotta, 19, of Winterport have pleaded not guilty to theft of firearms from the premises of a federally licensed dealer and possession of stolen guns.

Corey Damon is scheduled to change his pleas to guilty on Nov. 1. He is being held without bail at the Somerset County Jail pending the outcome of the case. Caparaotta is free on $5,000 unsecured bail.

The Damons were arrested a few hours after the Aug. 23 burglary on charges related to a stolen vehicle Corey Damon allegedly was driving, and they were taken to the Penobscot County Jail, according to an affidavit filed in federal court. Caparotta was arrested Aug. 26.

The owner of the Orrington gun shop was alerted to the burglary by barking from Buddy, the family dog. Don Barrett, who has operated the gun shop in the basement of his home on Mill Creek Road for 30 years, was awakened by the Jack Russell terrier at about 2:45 a.m. Aug. 23.

A few minutes later, he found the door to his shop open and three Winchester rifles on the floor. Barrett told police he saw a car and a truck leaving the scene.

While investigating the burglary, Maine State Trooper Christopher Hashey learned a truck had gone off Wiswell Road in Brewer. The truck, which was being driven by Corey Damon, was reported stolen from Corinth, and in the bed of the truck was a motorcycle reported stolen from Winterport, according to police.

Caparotta was arrested three days later after investigators learned of his alleged involvement in the theft.

If convicted on the federal charge of theft of firearms from the premises of a federally licensed dealer, each man faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.